D-Day Remembered

After he landed gently, and shook Prince Charles’s hand, he commented to the press, “at my age life tends to get a little bit boring, so you’ve got to grab any chance of excitement you can.”

What a guy. I guess the view Jock had from the air was a little different from the view he had 70 years ago. The commemorations are impressive, emotional and very thought-provoking. So too are the carefully choreographed events and speeches. Carefully planned – but only a fraction of planning compared to what must have gone into D-Day itself.

I am familiar with many of the stories around the meticulous training and preparation for the significant operations in the Second World War, my childhood spent reliving them with my grandfather. He vividly and passionately talked about the planning and training of his unit – their preparedness for the unexpected, and the opportunistic.

The training and planning meant that they had skills and resources to fall back on – or to use optimally when they needed to. The detailed planning for D-Day meant that the Allies were able to take advantage of a break in the dreadful weather, which ultimately took their enemies by surprise.my childhood spent reliving them with my grandfather. He vividly and passionately talked about the planning and training of his unit – their preparedness for the unexpected, and the opportunistic.

We know through our work on Saving in Mind and other research, that planning and preparedness provides peace of mind. But it also helps us make the most of the situations and opportunities that might come our way, whether that is a significant change in their circumstances, or a chance to see or do something amazing.

Have you given much thought to how prepared you are for the future? For me, it’s often about being ready to take advantage of a holiday opportunity. For others, it’s being able to indulge in a hobby or to capitalise on their ‘weather break’. I’ve always loved the quote from the film Castaway “…tomorrow the sun will rise. And who knows what the tide will bring.”

So when you’re 89, will you, like Jock, be prepared and ready to strike out and embrace the exciting opportunities that may come your way?

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